Heavy Weapon impressions: really explodey
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jan 17th 2007 at 12:30PM }
We played through the trial version of Heavy Weapon and so far, we're liking what we see. The trial version gives you access to a handful of levels and three of the game's six upgradeable weapons. The game is straight up action, beginning with the hair metal "Atomic Tank" theme song at the title screen. Live Arcade vets will be in comfortable territory: the left stick moves, the right stick shoots, and the right trigger sets off the all powerful nuke. Your tank rolls on the ground and basically shoots anything that moves, including both air and ground targets. Enemies have a range of different weapons which all require different tactics to destroy or evade. People familiar with Metal Slug should feel right at home.The main mode of play is mission mode, which is exactly what it sounds like. You roll through levels, destroy everything, fight a boss, and then have a chance to purchase upgrades at the end of every level. Survival mode pits you against a never ending stream of enemies as you slowly build up your arsenal and try to survive. Boss Blitz, finally, lets you throw down against a series of bosses (this mode is unavailable in the trial version). We've only had our hands on the trial version (still waitin' on that pay check), but we imagine that these modes will only be made better by the inclusion of Live multiplayer. 2 players can go through mission mode, and up to 4 can play survival. If you've got friends, especially those who may not play tons of games, Heavy Weapon will make a perfect game that almost anyone can enjoy without having to worry about controls or the complexity of making the perfect head shot.
Whether or not you can stomach a ten dollar purchase (800 points) for the full version really depends on your taste (as it usually does). Given the game has 19 levels all playable in co-op and the 4 player survival mode, Heavy Weapon is hard not to recommend. It becomes even easier to recommend when you know that the PC version, which doesn't include multiplayer support or the Boss Blitz mode, costs twice as much. So long as it doesn't suffer from the multiplayer issues that plague Assault Heroes, Heavy Weapon comes highly recommended to action fans and those looking to blow off a little steam in between rounds of Gears of War.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe @ Jan 17th 2007 2:15PM
Most of these new Arcade titles have rubbish art direction (same kind of people who think Comic Sans looks cool). When are they going to pick their game up?
Miguel @ Jan 17th 2007 2:25PM
hey im just here to say i just got the game and i highly recommend it :)and the new recent arcade titles, i love em! im talking about small arms, novadrome, assualt heroes, and heavy weapon, those were probably the first arcade titles that really got me to go the store and get some points :)
9/10 HEAVY WEAPON!
+ Intense one player action
++ EVEN MORE intense multiplayer action!
LETSGO 7777 @ Jan 17th 2007 10:11PM
DOWNLOADED FULL VERSION PLAYED 1ST 2 LEVEL VERY ENTERTAINING GAME PLAYS VERY FAST ENEMIES EVERY WHERE USING ANALOG STICKS TO MOVE AND FIRE IS AWESOME HOPE THE REST OF THE GAME PLAYS THIS GOOD
PacoDG @ Jan 17th 2007 3:16PM
Get your little review some more exposure:
http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/Heavy_Weapon_impressions_really_explodey_Xbox_Live_Arcade
vid33nyc1 @ Jan 17th 2007 3:14PM
Why worry about the art direction?If the game is fun to play nothing else matters,thats what lve arcade is all about.The key word is ARCADE.
D dogg @ Jan 17th 2007 3:21PM
I've played the game for about 2 hours now and I can say with confidence that it's once of the best arcade titles to come out in a while.
The best part about it... it feels LIKE an arcade title. Constant action, great multiplayer and even the single player has dried up yet.
Compared to Assault Heroes (which I have mixed feelings about), the art direction, sound and music all gel well together.
Worth $10. In all relativity, if this game is $10, Nova Drome, Assault Heroes, Small Arms and Roboblitz should be $5 - $7.50 titles... considering all things relative that is as far as quality.
VOS @ Jan 17th 2007 3:47PM
Anyone know if co-op over live works? UNLIKE ASSAULT HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!
DeadPlasmaCell @ Jan 17th 2007 4:28PM
I played the web version to get a feel for it and it was pretty fun. The XBLA version is much much better. I think this is a great XBLA addition.
DCFC Fan @ Jan 17th 2007 8:24PM
This is a much better and much more informative review than that which was featured on Joysuq. They gave very little actual information on the game as they deemed it "not worth your money."
This review, meanwhile, actually gives us firm details and information on the game. I infinitely enjoy reading a true game "review" moreso than some shoddily written editorial. I'm looking at you, Rea.
Tippin 40 for homies @ Jan 18th 2007 12:06AM
It's a so-so game. What I want to know is, where the heck is Worms? I thought it was going to come out like a week after the CES. What's going on? I hope that it means that they'll iron out the bugs and release a really good game. No Street Fighter-esque mistakes.
Why can't we have two releases a week? What about a cheap "classic" game on Wednesdays and a newer, more expensive game for the weekend? I really want to see "classics" like the original NARC, Spy Hunter, Elavator Action and Xenophobe. Have at least one "classic", every Wednesday, rain or shine. These titles should be in the 3 to 4 dollar range.
As far as newer titles, what about something really different? What about an Animal Crossing style title? What about a fishing game? What about Monopoly or Clue using the Xbox Live camera? What are your ideas?
Lamarr Wilson @ Jan 19th 2007 11:24PM
Hey, question. I have a friend over, and I can't get him to play in the mission or survival mode. The screen pops up and asks him to press A, he does, and it says "Waiting for others". What's up with that?